Is breastfeeding stopping me building muscle?
So I’m 6months PP and have been exclusively breastfeeding (just started weaning!) i used to be quite muscular especially my legs and bum but this has all disappeared since having the baby!
I have been going to the gym a few times a week but I don’t seem to be building any muscle and feel like I am looking very flat with a big mum pouch 😂 does anyone know if this is a breastfeeding thing? I have heard that bf can diminish muscle as they are used for an energy source does anyone know if this is true or experienced anything similar? Is there any point me going to the gym until after I stop bf!!?
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It may not be from breastfeeding. I read somewhere that we use different muscles holding/carrying/rocking babies that we did just standing normally pre-baby and that can make your butt sort of dissappear. Also I think the abs may relax while the back is flexing to carry the weight & that makes things weird too
I don’t think it has anything to do with breastfeeding itself, but it may have to do with the caloric intake needed to continue breastfeeding. You have to eat 500+ calories than you normally would in a “maintenance” phase. I think once you’re in a true caloric maintenance or deficit + going to the gym, you’ll see the muscle definition returning.
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I heard that breast-feeding takes the fat out of your butt and other fatty areas and puts it into your boobs. I don’t know if that’s true though.